The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul-Chapter 735 - 734. What is she doing?

"You must paint!"

Even if it was just to prove a point, he had to paint!

Under Master Bai’s relentless verbal jabs, Professor Li suddenly felt a burst of irritation rise within him, and his competitive spirit was fully ignited, resolved not to let Master Bai look down on him.

It was just one painting, wasn’t it? If the students could paint, why couldn’t he?

When Professor Li picked up the brush, the others looked at each other and, one by one, they too picked up their brushes and began to deeply contemplate.

Tang Shu, who had remained silent, withdrew her gaze, tugged at the corner of her mouth, and brought a hand to her forehead.

Such old men, and yet the goading strategy... still works?

It was indeed an eye-opener.

Master Xue fell into deep thought for a few seconds, then suddenly looked up at Master Bai, who appeared to be enjoying the show, and accurately read a sense of pleasure in his eyes, immediately realizing the truth.

Damn, I’ve fallen into a trap.

This was clearly a scheme to lure them into completing the artworks along with the contestants, and now there were even sneaky tactics involved? Who knew what Old Bai was thinking.

"Old Bai is really regressing with age, now even tricking us, it’s really..."

To use his excellent grandson’s words, it’s lacking in martial virtue!

However, the die was cast, and seeing that Dean Wang and the others had already begun pondering the topic of the competition, Master Xue sighed and picked up the brush to join in.

Since everyone had already resigned themselves to start painting, opposing them would be mostly futile, and it was better to save some time to think about how to paint.

He certainly didn’t want to fall behind Old Li.

Thus, most of the people at the competition site plunged into devising their artworks, while only a few friends and family in the general audience leisurely enjoyed the show.

"Wow, everyone’s really enthusiastic, beginning to ponder deeply."

"It’s my first time experiencing the atmosphere of the calligraphy and painting world; suddenly, they all seem so talented. I just don’t make the cut, only knowing if a painting looks good or not."

"Go for it, Little Qingyuan, you can do it, make it to the top four!"

"Hey? Have you noticed? Those judges have picked up their brushes too?"

"Yeah, yeah, their actions look just like those of our Little Qingyuan. Could it be they’re also considering what to paint?"

"How is that possible! They’re the association’s judges, and they’re the ones who set the topic of the competition!"

"Then why are they writing and painting too? Could it be they’re thinking about how to score this afternoon?"

"That’s beyond us; we can’t fathom the thoughts of the greats."

The three of them chatted away without a care, not being professionals themselves and not needing to rack their brains over composition, so their conversation flowed without much logic.

It was truly idle chatter, talking about whatever popped into their heads!

"Wait a sec, take a look, isn’t that Tang Shu not moving her pen and just sitting there with her arms crossed, chilling?"

"Hiss—She really is!"

"Even though she’s a bit far, I can still tell if she has moved her pen or not. Little Qingyuan’s idol seems so calm—"

In the midst of everyone else picking up their brushes, Tang Shu, who remained sitting up straight, was undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

Of course, originally like a splash of red among the green, she was already the center of attention; now it was just more pronounced.

Not only did many spectators notice this, but Elder Master Bai and his grandson also turned their attention to Tang Shu, even murmuring to each other in a hushed tone.

"Grandpa, what on earth are you up to? Why have you made Grandpa Li and the others paint? They are of such an advanced age, their energy is limited!"

Not just their energy, but their physical strength was also quite limited.

It was quite normal for the competing students to sit there for three hours without eating or drinking, after all, they were young and had the stamina, but it was quite the challenge for the older folks.

Bai Chenxi glanced at his grandfather, who was enjoying tea and exquisite pastries, and then looked at Grandpa Li and his group, deeply worried for everyone.

This was really not considerate, Grandpa Li’s back was still troublesome—he would spend a period in the hospital every year due to the pain, how could he endure this—

Old Bai was unfazed, pinching a piece of mung bean cake and tossing it into his mouth.

"I have my reasons, what would a child like you know?"

"Hey, Grandpa, are you using my age against me now? Didn’t you always say that I am old enough to know better and such?"

"I am your grandfather, whatever I say goes, hmph!"

"..."

Do you have a double standard?

"Just share your thoughts with me, I won’t go spreading it around."

Old Bai paused and deep in thought, he looked toward Master Xue and the others, and said something profound.

"Chenxi, how long has it been since there’s been a change in the top ten of those two lists?"

Bai Chenxi replied unconsciously, "Five or six years, right? The rankings have always stayed the same, without any innovation. I even stopped bothering to look at them, just scrolling down from the first place... wait a second?"

At that moment, the young boy paused, his eyes widened in shock as if he was seeing his own grandfather in a new light.

"I’m going~~~ are you being a little bit underhanded?"

"What is righteousness? Can you eat it?"

Old Bai threw another piece of mung bean cake into his mouth and took a light sip from his teacup, as if he wasn’t the one who had stirred the pot.

"..."

Bai Chenxi quietly gave him a thumbs up.

One could imagine that in the days to come, their family’s quadrangle might have to close its doors to guests.

He feared the threshold would be worn down!

***

More and more people in the audience realized that there was something different about the only woman in the Judges’ Area.

"Uncle She seems to have been seated all along, am I hallucinating, or do I feel like I’ve seen this scene just now?"

"I’ve noticed too, is the ’Gallop Horse Painting’ really that captivating?"

"It’s so strange, what exactly is Tang Shu doing?"

What was Tang Shu doing?

She was naturally admiring Master Xu’s ’Gallop Horse Painting’. From what she remembered, she had seen this painting in history textbooks, but that was just a blurry printed version, nowhere near as clear as what she was seeing now.

Now that the original was projected up close on the screen, some details were very clear.

’Gallop Horse Painting’ was created by Master Xu during a national crisis, with an urgency that shook his soul, as a way to express his concern for the country. Passion was embedded in his strokes, creating a powerful emotional impact. In this painting, Master Xu used bold and free ink to outline the head, neck, chest, and legs, as well as the key turning points, while using a dry brush to sweep out the mane and tail, achieving a natural blend of shades and dryness.

Every stroke was extraordinary, leaving onlookers in awe.

"It’s indeed a masterpiece."

It truly had its unique merits, a work among the very best.

Tang Shu’s eyes held admiration and shock, not missing any detail of the painting and, combining it with its background, she began to ponder deeply.